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The United States military has released the names of the first American troops killed in the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. The six service members died after a drone attack targeted a command center at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait on Sunday.
According to US Central Command, an unmanned aircraft system managed to get past air defenses before striking the facility. Initial reports said three soldiers had died, but officials later confirmed that the number had risen to six. One of the injured troops died from wounds, and two additional bodies were later found in the rubble of the damaged building.
So far, these are the only US military deaths confirmed since Washington launched a new phase of military operations against Iran alongside Israel.
On Tuesday, the US military identified four of the fallen soldiers, all members of the Army Reserve. They are Capt. Cody Khork, 35; Sgt. Noah Tietjens, 42; Sgt. Nicole Amor, 39; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20.
Capt. Khork, who was from Florida, had previously been deployed to Saudi Arabia, Guantanamo Bay, and Poland during his military career. Sgt. Amor, a Minnesota resident, had earlier deployments in Kuwait and Iraq. Sgt. Tietjens, from Nebraska, had served two previous tours in Kuwait. All three were described as experienced and decorated service members.
Sgt. Declan Coady, from Iowa, had joined the Army Reserve three years ago. He was posthumously promoted from the rank of specialist following his death.
During a press briefing, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the attack involved a “powerful weapon” that hit a fortified tactical operations center. However, questions have been raised about how well protected the site truly was.
According to three US military officials who spoke to CBS News, the troops were working in what they described as a temporary office space at the time of the strike. Reports suggest that a trailer was being used as an office, surrounded by 12-foot steel-reinforced concrete barriers meant to offer protection. Some officials have questioned whether those measures were enough to defend against the type of drone used in the attack.
The US has maintained a strong defense partnership with Kuwait for many years. More than 13,000 American troops are currently stationed in the Gulf country as part of ongoing regional security operations.
In recent days, Iran has responded to attacks against it by launching missiles toward several Gulf nations that are allied with the United States. Countries including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar have reported strikes. The situation has raised fears of a broader regional conflict.
In a separate incident in Kuwait, the US military confirmed that three fighter jets were lost in what it described as a “friendly fire” event on Monday. Video circulating online showed the aircraft spiraling down before crashing. All pilots were able to eject safely and survived.
Iranian state media claimed that its forces had shot down the jets, though it did not provide evidence to support that claim.
The deaths of the six soldiers mark a serious moment in the growing conflict between the United States and Iran. As tensions continue to rise across the Gulf region, concerns are mounting about further escalation and the potential human cost of the war.